Night aerial advertising sign



Aug. 4, 1931. R. ROHLFS NIGHT AERIAL ADVERTISING SIGN Filed May 14, 1928 R s mH m m0 T R 4 D 1 H I M, 7 M

16 F g 5 FIG/1.

Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROLAND ROI-ILFS, OF FOREST ,HILLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO L. FRANK KOHLER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK NIGHT AERIAL ADVERTISING SIGN Application filed May 14, 1928.

This invention relates to aerial advertising and more particularly to electrically illuminated advertising signs adapted to be mounted upon the underneath surface of an aircraft in order that observers on the ground may clearly see and be impressed with the subject matter of the aerial advertisement.

One object of the invention is to provide an illuminated electrical advertising sign in which one or more individual sign characters can quickly and easily be mounted in position on the aircraft and which can be readily removed for the purpose of substituting other sign characters.

Toward this end the invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of supporting frames which may be adjustably mounted upon the underneath surface of the aeroplane and on which supporting frames are resiliently mounted, a plurality of luminous sign elements, the Construction and arrangement of the supporting frames and their mounting means being such that the individual characters of the sign may be adjusted with respect to the aircraft and in addition the individual characters of the sign may be adjusted with respect to each other to insure proper spacing of these elements.

The principal object of the invention therefore is to provide a novel and efficient means by which individual sign characters maybe suspended from the underneath side of an aircraft.

Other objects of the invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will become more readily apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and one embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying one sheet of drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the luminous sign shown mounted on the underneath side of an aeroplane wing;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of F ig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken through one of the luminous tubes and its supporting structure;

Serial No. 277,597.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the showing in Fig. 3; and

F 1g. 5 IS an inverted fragmentary perspective View of one of the luminous elements f outline of the letter or other character desired to be shown. As explained in an ear- -6 lier filed application, Serial Number 48,933, said lights or sign characters may be separately lighted or hghted in series by passing either a high frequency current or a high voltage alternating current thru the tube or tubes. The tubes, and the means by which they are illuminated, however, form no part of the present invention.

Each sign character, whether formed of one or more tube lights, is fastened to a suitable frame 11. The fastening means (see Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive) includes a fitting 12 having legs 12' from which ears 13 are struck out. The fitting is provided with a curved bearing surface 14- connecting the legs 12 and an elastic band 15 has its opposite ends looped over the cars 13 and extends over the tube 10. Inserted between the tube 10 and the curved bearing surface 14 is a suitable cushion. The entire fitting is fastened to the frame 11 by means of bolts 17. Thus it will be seen that the tube 10 is nor mally urged against the cushion. 1G and this latter element acts as a shock absorber. This cushion 16 is held in position partly by the pressure of the tube 10 and partly by adhesion. By extending the elastic band heneath and across the tube the latter is yieldingly held in engagement with said cushion.

The frames 11 are preferably substantially rectangular and may or may not be crossbraced as at 18. At their opposite ends (as well as intermediately of their ends where cross-braces 18 are provided) said frames 11 have formed therein transversely extend- These tube 2 ing slots 19. The wing 20, beneath which the sign characters herein shown are disposed, is reinforced on its underside by longitudinally extending strips 21. These strips 21, at intervals of space along their length, are provided with attaching bolts 22 by means of which said'frames 11 are removably and adjustably fastened to said wing. The bolts 22 enter the slots, extend therethru, project therebeyond, and have threaded thereon suitable nuts 23 by meansof which the frames are fastened to the Wing. By loosening the nuts and bodily laterally shifting the frames, said frames, and hence the sign characters, can be bodily adjusted relatively to each otherv and to the'wing. The length of the slots determines the extent of such a'djustment.

An aerial advertising sign characterized as herein set forth isv light, tho rugged, the

tube'lights or sign character per se are yieldingly held and all operating shocks due to vibration are absorbed and dissipated; the frames and'signcharacters, in and of themselves, offer but little head resistance or drag; each sign character can be adjusted or removed at will; and last, but not least, by providin separate frames, one for each sign character, achange in the sign can be quickly made by merely removing said frame or frames and substituting one or more frames having fastened thereto other Sand different characters.

lVhile T have described my invention in detail in its present preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. I aim in the. appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes.

Y What I claim is:

1. The combination with the external surfaceof an aeroplane, of an electrical aerial advertising sign or the like comprising two or more sign characters each consisting of one or more luminous tube lights, separate frames to which the sign characters are at tached, a vibration or shock absorbing means for fastening said tube lights andhence the ;sign characters to said frames, and means for fastening each of said frames to said surface close up against one side thereof,

said means permitting adjustment of said frames parallel with said surface.

2. The comblnation with the external sur- I face of an aeroplane, of an electrical aerial advertising sign or the like comprising two or more sign characters each consisting of one or more luminous tube lights, individuing each one of said frames to said surface in a manner such that one or more of said sign characters may be adjusted relatively to said surface Without necessitating the removal of said adjustable frame.

8. The combination with the external surface of an aircraft of a frame adjustably mounted on the surface of the same and a luminous sign character in the form of a luminous tube light consisting of one or more lengths ofluminous translucent tubing shaped to conform either in Whole or in part to the outline of the character desired to be displayed, said tube light being resiliently and releasably mounted on the frame. 7

4. The combination with the external surface of an aircraft of a frame adjustably mounted on the surface of the same and a luminous sign character in the form of a luminous tube light consisting of one or more lengths of luminous translucent tubing shaped to conform either inwhole or in part to theoutline of the character deired to be displayed, said tube light being resiliently mounted on the frame.

5. The combination withv the external surface of an aircraft of a frame adjustably mounted on the surface of the same and a luminous sign character in the form of a luminous tube light consisting of one or more lengths of luminous translucent tubing shaped to conformeither in whole or in part tothe outline of the character desired to be displayed, said tube light being releasably mounted on the same.

6. The combination with the external surface of an aircraft of a frameadjustably and releasably mounted on the surface of the same and a luminous sign character in the form of a luminous tube light consisting of one or more lengths of luminous translucent tubing shaped to conform either in whole or in part to the outline of the character desired to be displayed, said tube light being resiliently and releasablyinounted on the frame. 7

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature. v

ROLAND ROHLFS. 

